Council defends decision not to require footpaths

Gosford Council has defended its decision not to require footpaths and gutters as part of a development consent for a manufactured home park on council land in Ettalong.

"There was no nexus to warrant upgrading the roadway," according to a statement issued by the council.

A Peninsula resident with an elderly mother living in the redeveloped Active Lifestyle Estate village in Fassifern St Ettalong, has questioned why there had been no provision for kerb, cutting and footpaths as part of the development application.

The Lifestyle Village manager, Mr Paul Greentree said Ingenia, the village owners, took pride in the village and ensured that the road verge outside its boundaries was kept mown and cleaned but said puddles often formed after rain that the management could not address.

He said Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks had taken note of the absence of kerb and guttering and footpaths and said it was a concern for the whole Ettalong area.

Gosford Council responded to questions about the absence of sealed gutters and footpaths near the village in a written statement.

"The land at 1-3 Fassifern St in Ettalong Beach is owned by Council, but the site is leased to a private operator," said Gosford Council chief Mr Paul Anderson.

"Council did not require kerb, gutter and footpath as part of the development consent (DA45331/2014).

"The approved development was not significantly different from the previous development and as such there was no nexus to warrant upgrading the roadway with kerb, gutter and a footpath.

"There are requirements that are followed when a development application is being assessed and in this case these upgrades were not required as part of the approval.

"Generally speaking, kerb, gutter and footpath are usually only required with new developments," the Gosford Council statement said.

Letter, 11 Feb 2016

Rob Meyer, Ettalong

Media statement, 2 Mar 2016

Paul Anderson, Gosford Council

Phone interview, 18 Feb 2016

Paul Greentree, Lifestyle Village Ettalong

Reporter: Jackie Pearson